HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) – The Hampton Police Division has charged a 16-year-old Bethel High School student in connection with a maiming incident at the school Monday morning.

Two students were injured during the incident in a hallway at Bethel High School in Hampton, that involved a box cutter, officials confirmed.

School principal, Dr. Tanya Howard, sent a message to families after the incident. Hampton City Schools sent WAVY a copy. In it, Dr. Howard explained what unfolded:

During class change between our second and third block, we had a student altercation in one of our hallways between two students in which another student intervened. During the altercation, one of the students assaulted the other two students with a small box cutter. Administration as well as our school security and the School Resource Officer responded immediately. As a precautionary measure, additional officers with the Hampton Police Division were contacted and responded to the school to provide support if needed. The student with the box cutter was immediately apprehended and the injured students were transported to a local hospital by members of the Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue with non life-threatening injuries. The situation was an isolated incident and the student was apprehended quickly so the school did not need to go into a lockdown. 

~ Dr. Tanya Howard, executive principal of Bethel High School

Police initially reported that a 17-year-old boy assaulted the victims, who were 18 and 17 years old. On Tuesday, they clarified that the suspect is actually 16 years old. He has been charged with two counts of unlawful wounding, possession of a weapon on school property and with having a concealed weapon.

The incident is being investigated by the major crimes unit, police said.